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Foster’s alarm at raised republican threat

Arlene Foster said the higher threat level for the UK meant that Stormont would have to work closely with DublinCLODAGH KILCOYNE/REUTERS

Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, said that she was alarmed and surprised by the increased threat of a terror attack by dissident republicans on Britain.

MI5 said that there was a “strong possibility” that republicans opposed to the peace process would mount an attack outside Ireland. In its latest security assessment it raised the level of threat to Britain from paramilitary factions from moderate to substantial — the third most serious category out of five.

In Northern Ireland the threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.

“We were rather surprised to hear the threat had increased, albeit not to severe, but to substantial, in terms of Great Britain,” Ms Foster said.

“To me, that means we have to work even…

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